Both teams come into tonight’s matchup riding win streaks. The winner of this game will take first place in the Southland Conference.
Southeastern would receive the ball first to get things started. QB Eli Sawyer and WR Darius Lewis would get together early on the drive, but the drive would stall at the 46 yard line with 12 minutes to go in the first quarter.
UIW’s first possession starts off at their own 23 yard line. QB Zach Calzada passes it deep for an incompletion, but a defensive pass interference would give UIW a free first down. SLU DL Warren Peeples would tackle Dekalon Taylor for a 2 yard loss, however, the very next play Calzada would find WR Jaelon Travis on the sideline for a first down for the Cardinals.
Later on in the drive the same duo would hook up again for a 41 yard touchdown pass. Giving UIW the early 7-0 lead with 8:39 left in the first quarter.
SLU’s next possession would be a very good one. RB Antonio Martin would find some space after running a fake reverse for a 20 yard gain. SLU would march the ball all the way down the field with their run game, and some help from the officials. They would come up short and be forced to kick a Field Goal bringing the score 7-3 and that would be the score after one quarter of play.
Both teams started off the second quarter rather slow and sloppy. Zach Calzada would dish the ball around early on on their possession but the Southeastern defense tightened up and forced a turnover on downs with 13:52 to go in the second quarter.
SLU offense could not get anything going, but then they would call on for their Special Teams to get the chains moving. A fake punt pass from LB Justin Dumas to the Punter Alec Mahler for a 26 yard pickup would set up SLU with a first down on the 23 yard line with 11:30 to go in the first half.
SLU would yet again go three and out and be forced to kick the short Field Goal. With 10:26 remaining the score is cut down to just one point and it is now 7-6 with UIW with the slim lead.
UIW would get the ball and run a very balanced attack. SLU’s poor tackling helped UIW march down the field with ease. The Cardinals would march down the field while chewing up a ton of clock in the second quarter. With 3:47 to go in the second quarter, RB Dekalon Taylor crosses the goal line for the score. SLU would block the PAT bringing the score to 13-6.
SLU’s next possession is one they wish they could forget about. QB Eli Sawyer rolled out the pocket and fumbled the ball and it was scooped and scored by UIW DE Marcus Brown. Extending UIW’s lead 20-6 with 3:02 remaining in the first half.
SLU would finally get something going. Eli Sawyer and the offense were firing on all cylinders this next drive. To get the drive started Eli Sawyer would find WR Errol Rogers for a 13 yard catch as the clock in the first half ticks down.
SLU would march down the field and finally punch it in for a touchdown. Sawyer would find Rogers again for a diving catch in the end zone cutting into the lead before the half ends. UIW would go into the half leading 20-13 and would be set to receive the second half kick off.
Southeastern’s defense would come out the gates swarming the UIW Cardinals offense, forcing the Cardinals to a quick three and out and to punt the ball away to the Lions.
SLU starts off on their 40 yard line to start their drive. The Lions would try to get their run game going but the Cardinals defense sniffed it out easily.
A couple plays later QB Eli Sawyer would find WR Jaylon Domingeaux for a 24 yard catch and a much needed first down for the Lions.
SLU’s offense would stall out again at the goal line and be forced to kick another field goal. Cutting the lead down to 20-16 with 8:50 left to go in the third quarter.
UIW would go three and out on their next possession and be forced to punt the ball away with all momentum switching to SLU. SLU would go for it on fourth down later in their drive and come up short.
UIW would get something going on offense again. With 1:06 left to go in the third quarter QB Zach Calzada finds WR Roy Alexander for a 36 yard touchdown. The score is now 27-16.
UIW would kick the ball off to SLU and WR Brandon Hayes would find an opening and take the kick off all the way for a 94 yard touchdown with just 51 seconds to go in the third quarter. Cutting the lead down to 27-23.
SLU’s defense would continue to get stops, but it was SLU’s offense that would be the unlucky ones tonight. CB Mason Chambers would pick off QB Eli Sawyer for a 40 yard pick 6. Bringing the score to 34-23.
SLU’s defense continues to get stop after stop to keep the Lions in the game most of the fourth quarter.
The Lions offense on their final scoring possession was filled with many short intermediate routes and chunk plays. The Lions were moving the ball, and a couple of DPI penalties would help move the ball closer to the red zone. With 4:58 to go in the fourth quarter, QB Eli Sawyer throws a nine yard touchdown pass to RB Harlan Dixon. SLU would go for the two point conversion and would get it with the help of Eli Sawyer and TE Cade Collier. The UIW lead is now 34-31.
SLU would get one final possession with just seconds left in the fourth quarter. SLU Kicker Riley Callaghan was set up with just one second left to attempt the game winning 58 yard field goal. The kick is no good and SLU’s comeback attempt falls short.
UIW would win the game and take first in the Southland Conference.
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